On Nov. 2 Governor Charlie Baker announced four new measures to try to stop the rise of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in the state. Those measures include an earlier closing time for certain businesses and activities, mandatory face coverings in all public places (indoor and outdoor), a reduction in the number of people allowed at gatherings in private residences, and a stay-at-home advisory for late-night hours. The orders and advisories take effect Nov. 6 at 12:01 a.m.
In a press release, the governor said there has been a “steep increase in cases during the month of October.” In addition, hospitalizations have “more than doubled” over the past two months, and as of Nov. 1, 67% of hospital beds in the state were full. Baker said social gatherings are contributing to the problem, and these new measures are meant to address those gatherings.
The stay-at-home advisory and early business closure order are designed to work together. Businesses such as theaters, casinos, and gyms must close by 9:30 p.m. Restaurants must stop in-person dining and alcohol service at 9:30 p.m. but may continue to offer takeout food and nonalcoholic beverages. Alcohol sales in retail stores must also stop at 9:30 p.m., and the same is true for marijuana sales (not including medical marijuana). The closing time also applies to houses of worship for any activity except a religious service. Businesses and restaurants in Harvard all close before 9:30 p.m., so this order will not affect normal operations at those establishments.
The stay-at-home advisory, in effect between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., urges residents to leave home only to go to work, school, or for other “essential needs,” such as for medical care, groceries, takeout food, or pharmacy needs. It also asks people not to have indoor gatherings or visit with family or friends during these hours. Baker said, “We want you home with the people you live with by 10 [p.m.],” adding that the 9:30 p.m. closing time for businesses and restaurants was chosen for that reason.
The new gatherings order pertains mainly to groups in private residences—indoor gatherings are now limited to 10 people, and the outdoor limit is 25. The limit on gatherings held in public spaces remains the same: 25 at indoor gatherings, 100 at outdoor gatherings in low-risk communities, and 50 in higher-risk communities. Organizers or hosts of gatherings of more than 50 people in a public venue must notify the Board of Health of the event or activity a week in advance.
All gatherings, public and private, must now end at 9:30 p.m. to allow everyone to be home by 10 p.m. If a host or event organizer learns that an attendee or event worker has tested positive for COVID-19, that information must be reported to the Board of Health. The board may ask the host or organizer to supply names and addresses of all attendees for contact tracing purposes.
Board of Health Chair Sharon McCarthy told the Press, “The state is getting serious about gathering limits.” She said an event venue or private gathering host can be fined $500 for each person over the gathering limit, and the police are authorized to enforce this new order. Police Chief Ed Denmark told the Press that while officers won’t be “peering through windows,” if someone is blatantly violating the gathering order, the police would take action.
Masks a requirement
Finally, the new mask order requires everyone over the age of 5 to wear a mask or cloth face covering in public places, indoors and outdoors, even when they are able to maintain 6 feet of social distancing. Public locations include grocery stores, pharmacies, and other retail stores, public transportation, carpools with non-household members, and public streets. Face coverings do not need to be worn when eating or drinking, receiving dental care, swimming, or riding in a personal vehicle with one occupant or only occupants from the same household. Not wearing a face covering when required may result in a fine up to $300.
This order also applies to “public streets and ways.” McCarthy told the Press that includes walkers, joggers, and bike riders. Public spaces also include the track and conservation trails. But she added, “This isn’t about enforcement, it’s about making people more conscientious.” Chief Denmark said his officers would follow the same process they followed for the previous mask order—ask the person to put a mask on, supply one if needed, and then take action if the person refuses to wear a mask. The incident would be reported to the Board of Health, which would determine if a fine was warranted and what the amount should be.
Superintendent Linda Dwight told the Press that the school’s current mask policy complies with the new order. The school’s policy requires documented proof of a condition that would prevent a student or staff member from wearing a mask, and mask breaks under specific circumstances are allowed under the rules issued by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Masks are already required on Harvard school buses. As to the question of whether masks would be required during school sports practices and matches, Baker did not yet have an answer at his press conference, but said, “You’ll hear a lot more from us about this by the end of the week.”
Chief Denmark said he hopes people will just comply with the new orders. “The last thing we want to do is to create conflict with residents,” he said. He also doesn’t want his officers put at risk dealing with people who are not complying with these public safety orders. “We’re small,” he said. “If we have someone get infected, we could lose half the department for two weeks.”
